Mesh transceiver for in-band on-channel broadcasting (IBOC) mesh network

ABSTRACT

Digital content can be broadcast in a sideband of an analog broadcast channel using multiple digital in-band on-channel (IBOC) transceivers connected in a mesh configuration to form an IBOC mesh network. The digital IBOC transceivers are positioned at various geographic locations, so that unlike traditional “HD” radio broadcasts, the IBOC broadcast transmission is spread out over a wide area, using multiple low power digital IBOC transceivers rather than being broadcast from the same location as the analog signal. An edge transceiver can limit IBOC transmission power of the IBOC transceivers to a desired portion of the power used to broadcast the analog signal. The edge server can make this determination based on measurements taken at the geographically distributed digital IBOC transceivers. The IBOC mesh network provides bi-directional communication between a mesh transceiver and a user device, and can be used to deliver user feedback.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

The present U.S. Utility Patent Application claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. § 120 as a continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No.15/700,872 entitled “EDGE TRANSCEIVER FOR IN-BAND ON-CHANNELBROADCASTING (IBOC) MESH NETWORK,” filed Sep. 11, 2017, scheduled toissue as U.S. Pat. No. 9,913,225 on Mar.6, 2018, which claims prioritypursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 120 as a continuation of U.S. Utilityapplication Ser. No. 14/965,636 entitled “IN-BAND ON-CHANNELBROADCASTING VIA MESH NETWORK,” filed Dec. 10, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No.9,769,770 on Sep. 19, 2017, all of which are hereby incorporated hereinby reference in their entirety and made part of the present U.S. UtilityPatent Application for all purposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to in-band on-channel broadcasting andmore particularly to in-band on-channel broadcasting using a meshnetwork.

2. Description of Related Art

In the United States each analog FM radio station is assigned a channelcentered on a particular frequency, with spacing of 0.2 MHz betweenchannels. If an analog radio station is, for example, assigned afrequency of 93.7 MHz, the next station cannot be closer than 93.5 MHzor 93.9 MHz. An analog FM station, however, does not actually need touse the entire 0.2 MHz bandwidth for broadcasting the FM signal. Evenleaving room for a guard band to help protect against interference fromadjacent stations, there is enough remaining bandwidth to accommodatethe transmission of digital signals within the 0.2 MHz of bandwidthallocated to the FM radio station.

Broadcasting both digital and analog radio signals in the same portionof the radio frequency spectrum previously used to broadcast only theanalog radio station, 0.2 MHz in this example, is referred togenerically as in-band on-channel (IBOC) broadcasting. Many members ofthe public know in-band on-channel broadcasting by the name HD Radio,which is a brand name used by iBiquity®.

As illustrated in prior art FIG. 1, current systems perform IBOCbroadcasting by transmitting both the digital and analog radio signalsfrom one location using separate antenna systems for the digital andanalog signals, or by multiplexing the digital and analog signals fortransmission by a single antenna system. For example, FM radio station110 broadcasts both analog and IBOC digital content from broadcastlocation 120. The analog signal can be used by analog receiver 130, andIBOC signal can be used by an IBOC capable receiver 140.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has established variousrules regarding the power of the digital broadcast signals inrelationship to the power of an analog broadcast, and the National RadioSystems Committee (NRSC) has published power guidelines for FM IBOC, forexample NRSC-G202, published September 2010. The FCC rules and the NRSCguidelines describe how much power a digital signal broadcast using IBOCtechniques can use, compared to the analog broadcast signal. Forexample, NRSC-G202 indicates that for symmetric sidebands using servicemode MP1, the nominal power of the digital broadcast signal compared tothe analog broadcast signal is between −20 dBc (decibels relative to thecarrier) and −10 dBc. Translated to percentages, the power of thedigital signal is between 1% and 10% of the analog broadcast signal'spower. Prior art FIG. 1 illustrates this currently allowed powerrelationship. It should be noted that other power ratios orrelationships can apply for different broadcast modes, and forasymmetrical side-band transmissions.

A benefit of limiting the power of the IBOC digital signals is thatinterference with analog broadcast signals can be controlled. A drawbackis that the lower transmission power of IBOC signals can also limit thearea over which the IBOC signals can be reliably received.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operationthat are further described in the following Brief Description of theDrawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims.Various features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the invention madewith reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is diagram illustrating the prior-art technique of broadcasting adigital signal in-band on-channel (IBOC) from the same location used tobroadcast the analog signal;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an IBOC broadcasting system usingmultiple mesh transceivers at different geographic locations, inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an IBOC broadcasting systemincluding a mesh IBOC transceiver network, according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an edge transceiver servingmultiple mesh networks, according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a mesh or edge transceiver,according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a user transceiver capable of receivingIBOC broadcasts and providing feedback regarding an IBOC signalbroadcast by a mesh network, according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method of setting IBOC broadcastpower for mesh-connected IBOC transceivers, and receiving feedback froma user receiving the IBOC broadcast, according to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method in which mesh-connecteddigital IBOC transceivers set their own digital IBOC broadcast power,according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of IBOC broadcasting usingmesh transceivers forming an IBOC mesh network, according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein the term “in-band on-channel (IBOC),” as used hereinunless otherwise specified or required by content, refers generally tobroadcasting one or more digital RF signals in the same RF channel inwhich an analog signal is being concurrently broadcast, using one ormore sidebands of the analog signal within the RF channel. The termsIBOC transmitter, IBOC transceiver, IBOC power, and similar terms shouldbe understood to refer to a digital IBOC transmitter, a digital IBOCtransceiver, and digital IBOC power, respectively. Although someembodiments may be implemented using mixed analog and digital IBOCtechniques, at least one embodiment uses digital-only IBOC techniques.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an IBOC broadcasting system 200 using multiplemesh transceivers at different geographic locations, will be discussedin accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. Asused herein, the term “mesh transceivers” refers to transceivers capableof IBOC broadcasting, and communicatively connected to establish a meshnetwork via wired communication links, wireless communication links, orboth. The term “mesh network” refers to a network topology in whichnetwork nodes are interconnected, and relay data between and among thenetwork nodes on behalf of the network.

IBOC broadcasting system 200 includes an over-the-air (OTA) analogbroadcast transmitter 210 that transmits an analog broadcast signal atan analog power, X. In conventional analog frequency modulation (FM)radio broadcasting, the analog power X may be determined based on amaximum effective radiated power (ERP) established by regulatory agencyrules, laws established by other local, regional, or national governingbodies, based on how much interference the analog FM radio broadcastcauses, or the like.

For purposes of this discussion, it is assumed that analog power X issufficient to provide acceptable reception by an analog receiveranywhere within analog broadcast radius 209. Furthermore, althoughanalog broadcast radius 209 is illustrated as a circle for ease ofdiscussion, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that theanalog broadcast signal generated by analog broadcast transmitter 210 isvery unlikely to actually propagate in a purely circular pattern due tomyriad factors, including antenna type and configuration, andenvironmental factors such as weather, foliage, buildings, andgeographic topology.

IBOC broadcasting system 200 also includes mesh transceivers 219, 229,239, and 239, connected together via wireless, wired, or both wired andwireless communication channels to form a mesh network. Meshtransceivers 219, 229, 239, and 239 each include an in-band on-channel(IBOC) transmitter that broadcasts digital content in one or moresidebands of the analog channel used by OTA analog broadcast transmitter210 to transmit its analog broadcast signal. In contrast to conventionalsystems, the network of mesh transceivers 219, 229, 239, and 239 arepositioned at geographic locations different from the geographiclocation of OTA analog broadcast transmitter 210. Mesh transceivers 219,229, 239, and 239 each broadcast digital content from their variousdifferent geographic locations, using their own IBOC transmitters, atIBOC power levels related to the analog power X of OTA analog broadcasttransmitter 210.

In various embodiments, the power level used by each of the meshtransceivers 219, 229, 239, and 239 can be individually determined as apercentage, or other portion, of the analog power X used by OTA analogbroadcast transmitter 210. For example, mesh transceiver 219 can beassigned to use an IBOC power level of X-A % of the analog power X usedby OTA analog broadcast transmitter 210, resulting in first IBOCbroadcast radius 220. Similarly, mesh transceiver 229 can be assigned touse an IBOC power level of X-B %, resulting in second IBOC broadcastradius 230; mesh transceiver 239 can be assigned to use an IBOC powerlevel of X-C %, resulting in third IBOC broadcast radius 230; and meshtransceiver 249 can be assigned to use an IBOC power level of X-D %,resulting in fourth IBOC broadcast radius 250.

In at least one embodiment the various IBOC power levels can be set tocorrespond to the IBOC power that would have resulted from use of priorart system 100 (FIG. 1), in which the IBOC broadcast is transmitted fromthe same location as the analog signal. For example, if the IBOC signalstrength in a conventional IBOC broadcast would be limited to 5% of thepower of the analog broadcast signal, variables A, B, C, and D can allbe set so that the IBOC transmit power of each of the mesh transceivers219, 229, 239, and 249 is 5% of the analog power X used by OTA analogbroadcast transmitter 210. For example, if the analog power X used byOTA analog broadcast transmitter 210 is 100 KW Effective Radiated Power(ERP), mesh transceivers 219, 229, 239, and 249 can each be set totransmit at 5 KW ERP.

In some embodiments, a signal strength can be measured at meshtransceivers 219, 229, 239, and 249, and that signal strengthmeasurement can be used to estimate the analog power X used by OTAanalog broadcast transmitter 210. The estimated analog power X can thenbe used as the baseline, and the IBOC transmit power can be set to aparticular percentage of the estimated analog power X.

In some embodiments, rather than estimating the analog transmit power atthe location of the analog transmission, a signal strength measurementcan be used to determine a hypothetical analog transmission power thatwould have resulted in a signal having the measured signal strength, ifthe analog signal had been broadcast from the same geographic locationas the mesh transceiver at which the signal strength measurement wasperformed. For example, if the signal strength measurement indicatedthat an analog transmitter would need a hypothetical transmission powerof 50 KW ERP if the analog transmitter were transmitting from thelocation of the mesh transceiver 239, then the IBOC transmission powerof mesh transceiver 239 could be set to 2.5 KW ERP, continuing to assumea 5% ratio.

Note that as used herein within the context of the ratio of IBOCtransmit power to analog transmit power, reference to “analog power X”is used to refer to an actual analog broadcast power determined at thetransmitter, to an estimated analog transmission power determined by apower measurement performed at a mesh transceiver, and to a hypotheticalanalog transmission power As used herein, reference to “analog power X”can also refer to the hypothetical analog transmission power. Furthernote that although ERP is discussed as the unit of transmit powermeasurements, other units of transmission power known to those of skillin the art can be used. Furthermore, although percentages are discussedherein, other expressions of the same relationship apply equally tovarious embodiments set forth herein. For example, rather thanexpressing a ratio as a percentage, a logarithmic expression, such asdB, can be used in describing the relationship between IBOC transmitpower and analog transmit power.

Some implementations involve an overlap of IBOC transmissions frommultiple mesh receivers, for example if IBOC broadcast radius 230overlapped IBOC broadcast radius 250 (not illustrated), the IBOCtransmit power of mesh transceivers 229 and 249 can be set so that theircombined IBOC transmit power does not exceed the allowed portion, inthis example 5%, of analog power X used by OTA analog broadcasttransmitter 210. In some such embodiments, the IBOC transmit power ofmesh transceivers 229 and 249 can be set so that their combined IBOCsignal strength within the overlapping area does not exceed the allowedportion of analog power X, even though mesh transceivers 229 and 249 areeach set to have an IBOC transmit power of 4% of analog power X.However, due to attenuation of the broadcast signal, the IBOC signalstrength in the overlapping area may be equivalent to only a 5% IBOCtransmit power ratio if the IBOC transmitter were considered to beoriginating with the overlap area.

Mesh transceivers 219, 229, 239, and 239 can be distributed atsubstantially any location corresponding broadcast area served by OTAanalog broadcast transmitter 210. Furthermore, although the only meshtransceivers illustrated are mesh transceivers 219, 229, 239, and 239,in various embodiments there can be hundreds or even thousands of meshtransceivers distributed around a broadcast area. The mesh transceiverscan be evenly or unevenly distributed about a broadcast area, withdifferent mesh transceivers having different IBOC transmit powersdepending on a desired coverage area, and subject to the transmit powerrelationship to the analog transmission power.

Depending on the configuration of the mesh transceivers and theirphysical proximity to each other, the IBOC transmit power can bedetermined based not only on the analog transmit power, but also basedon the IBOC transmit power of neighboring mesh transceivers.Additionally, the IBOC transmit power of any particular mesh transceivercan be set, based at least in part, on the proximity to of the meshtransceiver to the analog transmitter. This can be done, for example,using an estimated or a hypothetical analog transmission power based ona signal strength measurement local to the mesh transceiver or acollocated analog antenna, or by using a known location of the meshtransceiver and the analog transmitter to estimate how much to the IBOCtransmit power needs to be adjusted to maintain a required relationshipto the analog transmit power.

Referring next to FIG. 3, an IBOC broadcasting system 300 including amesh IBOC transceiver network will be discussed according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure. IBOC broadcasting system 300includes analog content distributor 313, FM OTA antenna 315, automobileFM receiver 325, home/Office FM receiver 327, digital contentdistributor 330, edge transceiver 337, gateway edge receiver 340,feedback server 360, mesh network 310, which includes digital IBOC meshtransceivers 371, 373, 375, and 377, user transceiver 380, additionaledge transceivers 335, and additional digital IBOC mesh networks 379.

In operation, analog content distributor 313 delivers content to FM OTAantenna 315 for analog broadcast, and FM OTA antenna 315 broadcasts theanalog content for reception by automobile FM receiver 325 andHome/Office FM receiver 327. Digital content distributor 330 deliverscontent for digital IBOC transmission via mesh network 310. The contentdelivered by digital content distributor 330 can be the same ordifferent content than content deliver by analog content distributor 313to FM OTA antenna 315.

Digital content distributor 330 can transmit, to edge transceiver 337,content to be delivered for IBOC broadcast via mesh network 310. Edgetransceiver 337 can control delivery of the content to mesh network 310by transmitting the content to one or more digital IBOC meshtransceivers 371, 373, 375, and 377, which are connected to each otherin a mesh configuration via one or more wireless or wired communicationchannels. The communication channels used for communications by edgetransceiver 337, and mesh transceivers 371, 373, 375, and 377, caninclude wired networks, and/or any of various wireless communicationchannels such as an 802.11 wireless local area network (LAN) channel, asideband also being used for IBOC broadcasting, a Bluetoothcommunication channel, or any other suitable wireless in the analogchannel used by FM OTA antenna 315. For example, a frequency sharingprotocol such as time division multiple access (TDMA) can be used toallow IBOC broadcast of content during some of the time slots, andcommunication between nodes of mesh network 310 using the IBOC channelduring time slots not used to broadcast the content provided from edgetransceiver 337.

Content information delivered to any single mesh transceiver 371, 373,375, or 377 can be transmitted to any or all other mesh transceivers371, 373, 375, or 377 included in mesh network 310. Thus, in at leastsome embodiments, edge transceiver 337 need only deliver content to meshtransceiver 371, mesh transceiver 371 can forward the content to meshtransceivers 373 and 377, and so on, with each mesh transceiver furthertransmitting the content within mesh network 310, as required dependingon the communication protocol used. For example, mesh network 310 canemploy various addressing techniques in some embodiments, while in otherembodiments flood techniques are used to move information within meshnetwork 310.

Mesh network 310 can also be used to carry information in addition toIBOC broadcast content. For example, mesh transceivers 371, 373, 375, or377 can provide edge transceiver 337 with signal power levels,transmission power levels, estimated transmission power levels,hypothetical transmission power levels, measurements that can be used byedge transceiver 337 to calculate or estimate these power levels, andother information related to IBOC transmissions and useful to edgetransceiver 337 in implementing various embodiments of the presentdisclosure. For example, mesh network 310 can be used to carry statusinformation for mesh transceivers 371, 373, 375, or 377, includingoperational status of the mesh transceiver, operational status of anIBOC transmitter used for IBOC broadcasts by the mesh transceiver,signal measurements relating to measured or calculated IBOC broadcastcharacteristics of other mesh transceivers, information related to acommunication channel used to transmit control information among meshtransceivers 371, 373, 375, or 377, or the like.

Mesh network 310 can also be used to carry user feedback received fromuser transceiver 380. For example, user transceiver 380 can be used toreceive one or more IBOC broadcasts provided by mesh network 310. A usercan interact with user transceiver 380 to transmit feedback related tothe IBOC broadcast to mesh network 310 via mesh transceiver 377. Theuser feedback can include, for example, user preferences or opinionsregarding the IBOC content, including user evaluations of usefulness,timeliness, appropriateness, subjective value of the content to thelistener, likes, dislikes, suggestions regarding future content,location, or other similar feedback.

The user feedback delivered to mesh transceiver 377 can be moved throughmesh network 310 and transmitted to edge transceiver 337 for delivery tofeedback server 360 via gateway edge receiver 340. Feedback server 360can be associated with a radio station or network operations center fromwhich the IBOC content originated. In some embodiments, the feedbackserver can be associated with a third party rating service that collectsand analyzes user feedback to provide advertisers or broadcasters withmarket intelligence.

In some embodiments, user feedback can include registration information,such as a user or device identifier, which can be used to register auser's device with mesh network 310. A user or device identifier caninclude, for example, an external security manager (ESM) identifier, amedia access control MAC address, a user name, an account number, oranother suitable identifier. In some embodiments, the user feedback isdelivered to edge transceiver 337, which can register a particular useror device with mesh network 310. In some embodiments, a particular meshtransceiver can be provided with customized content for digital IBOCbroadcast when a registered device or user is currently in communicationwith that particular mesh transceiver.

In some embodiments, user transceiver 380 can include a digital FM IBOCreceiver capable of receiving either or both analog FM analogtransmissions, and digital IBOC transmissions. In common vernacular, theuser transceiver 380 can include an “HD” radio receiver. Usertransceiver 380 can, in some implementations, provide feedback to meshtransceiver 377 via a cellular transceiver, via a wireless LANtransceiver included in user transceiver 380, or in some cases via awired LAN or wide area network (WAN).

For example, mesh transceiver 377 can, in some embodiments, beincorporated into a gateway/router such as those commonly used toconnect home or business networks to the Internet. Consider animplementation in which mesh transceiver 377 is included in a routerused by a coffee shop, and that multiple customers employ an IBOCcapable device to receive the IBOC broadcast transmitted by meshtransceiver 377. Mesh transceiver 377 can receive content for IBOCbroadcast from edge transceiver 337, via mesh network 310, and transmitthat content via an IBOC broadcast at the coffee shop. One of thecustomers can use his IBOC capable device, for example user transceiver380, to provide user feedback to edge transceiver 337, via mesh network310. Edge transceiver 337 can forward the user feedback from usertransceiver 380, via gateway edge receiver 340 or otherwise, to feedbackserver 360 for analysis and/or distribution.

The content of the IBOC broadcast transmitted by mesh transceivers 371,373, 375, and 377 is, in some embodiments, the same content across theentire mesh network 310. In other embodiments, however, individual meshtransceivers can broadcast different content, so that some meshtransceivers of mesh network 310 IBOC broadcast first content, whileother mesh transceivers in mesh network 310 IBOC broadcast secondcontent, different from the first content. In at least one suchembodiment, the entire mesh network 310 can carry, forward, andotherwise move user feedback from any user, regardless of the IBOCbroadcast to which the user feedback is related.

Furthermore, one or more mesh transceivers included in mesh network 310can be used to transmit different data in different sidebands of thesame channel, different data in the same sideband of the same channel,or the same data in different sidebands of the same channel. In otherimplementations all of the mesh transceivers 371, 373, 375, and 377 inmesh network 310 broadcast the same content using the same sideband ofthe same channel, and additional edge transceivers 335 are used inconjunction with additional mesh networks 379 for transmission ofdifferent data, or for transmission of the same data in differentsidebands of the same channel.

Various types of content, including non-traditional FM radio content,can be IBOC broadcast via mesh network 310. For example, mesh network310 can include hundreds of mesh transceivers positioned in a one to onecorrespondence with parking spaces in a parking garage. Each meshtransceiver can include a proximity sensor to indicate when a parkingspace is occupied, and be set to broadcast IBOC content at a very lowpower. In a particular implementation, each mesh transceiver canwireless transmit a feedback signal to an edge transceiver, eitherdirectly or indirectly via the mesh network. The feedback signal caninclude information indicating whether or not a parking space associatedwith a particular mesh transceiver is currently available. The edgetransceiver can process the feedback signal from all of the meshtransceivers, and generate an announcement to be IBOC broadcast by someor all of the mesh transceivers, for example, “Four spaces available onlevel 4 East.” The edge transceiver can also, in some embodimentsforward the feedback to a feedback server 360, which can process theinformation and send it to a digital content distributor 330, which cangenerate a parking message. The parking message can then be transmittedto edge transceiver 337 for delivery to mesh network 310, and subsequentdigital IBOC broadcasting.

In some embodiments, traditional FM radio content can also be IBOCbroadcast by mesh transceivers 371, 373, 375, and 377 included in meshnetwork 310. The FM radio content can be a duplicate of the analog FMradio content broadcast by FM OTA antenna 315. In other implementations,portions of the content between the analog broadcast and the IBOCbroadcast based on various factors such as anticipated listenerdemographics and the location of the mesh network. For example, an IBOCmesh network located in one part of a city can be used to broadcasttraffic information pertinent to part of the city where the mesh networkis located, with the traffic information being different from thatbroadcast by a second IBOC mesh network located in a different part ofthe city. As another example, an IBOC mesh network located in a shoppingmall can be used to broadcast advertisements specific to that mall,while an IBOC mesh network in the parking lot of the mall can be used tobroadcast weather and traffic information. Note that in these examples,the IBOC mesh networks may each be transmitting in the same sideband ofthe same analog channel, so that a user employing a transceiver tuned toan IBOC station would not need to re-tune his transceiver, but wouldstill receive different information based on which part of the city hewas in, or based on whether he was inside the shopping mall or in aparking lot. In other embodiments, different sidebands could be used,and in some instances a mesh transceiver can be configured to digitallyIBOC broadcast on two sidebands of the same analog FM channelconcurrently.

Referring next to FIG. 4 a system 400 including an edge transceiverserving multiple mesh networks is illustrated according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure. System 400 includes mesh networks420 and 430, which can include any number of mesh transceivers thattransmit digital content in an IBOC broadcast using one or moresidebands in the same channel used to transmit an analog FM broadcastsignal. Mesh network 420 includes edge transceiver 410 connected to meshtransceiver 422 via one or more communication channels allowingbi-directional communication. Mesh transceiver 422 is connected to meshtransceivers 424 and 426 via one or more communication channels allowingbi-directional communication. Edge transceiver 410 is, in variousembodiments, also part of mesh network 430, and is connected to meshtransceiver 432 via one or more communication channels allowingbi-directional communication. Mesh transceiver 432 is connected to meshtransceivers 434 and 436 via one or more communication channels allowingbi-directional communication.

Edge transceiver 410 can receive content to be transmitted via an IBOCbroadcast by mesh transceivers included in mesh networks 420 and 430. Insome embodiments, Edge transceiver 410 delivers the same content to bothmesh network 420 and mesh network 430. In other embodiments content 401and content 403 are different from each other. Regardless of whethercontent 401 and 403 are the same or different, mesh network 420 cantransmit content 401 via IBOC broadcast 427 and mesh network 430 cantransmit content 403 via IBOC broadcast 437. IBOC broadcasts 427 and 437can be made in the same or in a different sideband of the channel usedfor analog FM transmission.

User transceiver 450 can receive either or both IBOC broadcast 427 frommesh network 420 and IBOC broadcast 437 from mesh network 430, andprovide user feedback related to any received IBOC broadcast. In someembodiments, mesh networks 420 and 430 are neighboring networks, and arelocated so that at least one mesh transceiver included in mesh network420 is geographically adjacent to at least one mesh transceiver includedin mesh network 430. In some implementations, especially where meshtransceivers included in mesh networks 420 and 430 are transmitting IBOCbroadcasts using the same sideband or sidebands adjacent to each otherin frequency, the IBOC transmission power of one or both mesh receiverscan be set even lower than would otherwise be permissible based on arelationship to the transmission power of the analog FM broadcast inthat channel. For example, if both mesh transceiver 424 and meshtransceiver 434 are adjacent to each other and broadcasting atpermissible IBOC power levels of 1% of analog broadcast power, the 1%IBOC power level could still be high enough to cause interferencebetween IBOC broadcast 427 and IBOC broadcast 437. In such a case, anattempt to reduce the interference could include reducing the IBOC powerlevels of both mesh transceiver 424 and mesh transceiver 434 to 0.8% ofanalog broadcast power.

Similar issues relating to digital IBOC broadcast levels can occurbetween mesh transceivers within a single mesh network. For example, ifmesh transceivers 434 and 436 are geographically adjacent to each otherthe IBOC power of either or both mesh transceivers 434 and 436 can beadjusted to provide the strongest IBOC broadcast power allowed, whilestill keeping interference between IBOC broadcasts at an acceptablelevel. In some instances, the timing of IBOC broadcasts transmitted bymesh transceiver 434 and 436 can also be adjusted to aid in dealing withinterference issues.

In various embodiments, edge transceiver 410 sends power control signalsto set the IBOC broadcast power of mesh transceivers included in meshnetworks 420 and 430. The power control signals can be addressed toindividual mesh transceivers, so that the power level of meshtransceivers can be individually controlled. In other embodiments, thepower level of all mesh transceivers can be set to the same value by apower control signal. In yet further embodiments, the IBOC transmissionpower of all mesh transceivers in a mesh network can be set to a singledefault value, and the IBOC power level of individual mesh transceiverscan be adjusted as necessary. Adjusting a default value can be used, insome implementations, to adjust the IBOC transmission power of meshtransceivers located near geographic boundaries of a mesh network.

In various embodiments, individual mesh transceivers can perform signalstrength measurements and transmit information relating to thosemeasurements to edge transceiver 410 directly, or via other meshtransceivers included in the mesh network. For example, meshtransceivers 426, 424, 422, 436, 434, and 432 can each measure one ormore analog or digital signal strengths, and transmit power feedbackrelated to the signal strength measurements to edge transceiver 410.Power feedback can include information indicating a signal strength ofthe analog FM broadcast signal on the relevant channel, that is to saythe signal strength of the analog broadcast signal on the channelincluding the sidebands used by the mesh transceiver to transmit theIBOC broadcast.

Power feedback can also include a partial or full calculation orestimate of various IBOC power ratios, such as the following: 1) acalculated or estimated ratio of the analog broadcast power at theanalog transmission site to an IBOC power level at the mesh transceiver;2) a calculated, measured, or estimated ratio of the analog power levelas determined based on signal strength of the analog signal at the meshtransceiver and an IBOC power level as determined at the meshtransceiver; 3) a hypothetical ratio of the analog power to an IBOCpower level, where the analog power is determined based on ahypothetical transmission power of a hypothetical analog transmittercollocated with the mesh transmitter and determined based on an analogsignal strength measurement at the mesh transceiver; 4) powermeasurements or estimates of IBOC signal power of geographicallyadjacent mesh transmitters; 5) feedback from user devices indicatingsignal quality at the user devices; 6) signal quality metrics indicatingpotential interference from geographically near or adjacent meshtransceivers; and 7) information related to IBOC power calculations andratios that can be used by edge transceiver 410 to perform any or all ofthe partial or full calculations or estimates of various IBOC powerratios for individual mesh transceivers.

Edge transceiver 410 can also receive information related to thetransmission power of the analog broadcast from a broadcaster, from ananalog broadcast facility itself, or from some other source. Thisinformation can be received in near-real time, and edge transceiver 410can use that information in conjunction with the power feedback receivedfrom the individual mesh transceivers to determine an IBOC transmissionpower for any or all mesh transceivers included in one or more meshnetworks. Edge transceiver 410 can transmit the determined IBOCtransmission powers in one or more power control messages delivered intothe mesh networks.

Referring next to FIG. 5, a mesh/edge transceiver 500 is illustratedaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In variousembodiments, the mesh transceivers and edge transceivers can have asimilar architecture that includes a processor 510, memory 515, userinput/output devices 520, routing circuitry/logic 512, wireless networkinterface 525, wired network interface 530, internal network interfaces529 analog/digital FM receiver 545, power measurement circuitry 535, anda variable-power IBOC transmitter 550.

For implementations where mesh/edge transceiver 500 is configured as amesh transceiver, IBOC transmitter 550 can digitally transmit contentin-band and on-channel (IBOC) in a sideband of a radio channel used totransmit an analog FM radio broadcast under control of processor 510.The content broadcast by IBOC transmitter 550 can be received viawireless network interface 525, for example from a wireless local areanetwork (WLAN); via wired network interface 530, for example from alocal area network (LAN); or from a digital FM receiver configured toreceive content over an IBOC sideband.

Either or both wireless network interface 525 and wired networkinterface 530 can be connected to other mesh transceivers in a meshconfiguration, to allow communication directly with the other meshtransceivers without requiring a router, hub, gateway, or other similardevice. In some embodiments the mesh network can be considered to be atype of ad-hoc network in which each mesh transceiver included in a meshnetwork can communicate directly with any other mesh transceiver in themesh network. In other embodiments, however, wireless network interface525 and wired network interface 530 can be connected to a limited numberof other mesh transceivers. For example, in some embodiments, anyparticular mesh transceiver can be connected to no more than 2, 3, or 4other mesh transceivers, which are often, though need not be limited to,geographically adjacent mesh transceivers.

In some embodiments, one or both of network interface 525 and wirednetwork interface 530 are connected to an edge transceiver in additionto being connected to geographically adjacent mesh transceivers. In somecases, the edge transceiver uses one of the available “connectionslots,” that would otherwise be used for connecting to other meshtransceivers. In at least one embodiment, the wireless network interface525 can use a time division multiple access (TDMA) or other frequencysharing scheme, such as code division multiple access (CDMA) to allowmultiple communication connections using a single interface. In otherimplementations, wireless network interface 525 can be set to a specificfrequency that can be used to communicate with another mesh transceiverthat also has its wireless network interface set to the same specificfrequency. Yet further embodiments can include a dedicated interface foreach communication connection with other mesh transceivers or an edgetransceiver.

In various embodiments, analog/digital FM receiver 545 can be set toreceive IBOC transmission in a shared sideband, and communicationsbetween mesh/edge transceiver 500 and other mesh/edge transceivers canbe performed using a combination of analog/digital FM receiver 545 andIBOC transmitter 550.

Mesh/edge transceiver 500 can use power measurement circuitry 535 tomeasure a signal strength or other indication of transmission powerassociated with either a digital IBOC signal or an analog signalreceived using analog/digital FM receiver 545. Information associatedwith these measurements can be transmitted to an edge transceiver taskedwith managing the mesh network to which mesh/edge transceiver 500belongs. This information is sometimes referred to herein as powerfeedback. The power feedback can include partially or fully processedinformation indicating a relationship between analog transmission powerand IBOC transmission power.

An edge transceiver can use the power feedback, alone or in conjunctionwith other information, to determine an IBOC broadcast or transmissionpower to which IBOC transmitter 550 should be set. The determined IBOCbroadcast power can be sent from the edge transceiver to mesh/edgetransceiver 500, where processor 510 can store that information inmemory 515 and use the IBOC broadcast power to set the power level forIBOC transmitter 550.

Where mesh/edge transceiver 500 is used as an edge transceiver, it mayor may not include an IBOC transmitter 550, depending on whether or notcommunications with a mesh transceiver are performed using a shared IBOCsideband. Furthermore, power measurement circuitry 535 may or may not beincluded, again depending on whether or not the edge transceiver is usedto perform either analog or IBOC power measurements.

In some embodiments, mesh/edge transceiver 500 can be implemented as agateway or router, using routing circuitry/logic 512 to provide routingand firewall services typically found in commercially available gatewaysand routers. Content to be transmitted via an IBOC broadcast can bereceived via wireless network interface 525 or wired network interface530, either of which can correspond to an outward facing networkinterface such as a wide area network interface. In some cases, adedicated mesh interface (not illustrated) can be provided, or IBOCtransmitter 550 can be used to provide dedicated communication withinthe mesh network using a shared sideband. Mesh/edge transceiver 500 canthen receive feedback regarding the IBOC broadcast content from a userdevice connected to an internal network via internal network interfaces529. For example, an edge transceiver or mesh transceiver included in amesh network can transmit content to mesh/edge transceiver 500, which inturn broadcasts the content to a home user using IBOC transmitter 550.User feedback can be received at mesh/edge transceiver 500 usinginternal network interfaces 529, and routed through the mesh network tothe edge transmitter via routing circuitry/logic and wireless networkinterface 525 or wired network interface 530.

Referring next to FIG. 6 a user transceiver 600 capable of receivingIBOC transmission and providing feedback regarding an IBOC signalbroadcast by a mesh network is illustrated according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, usertransceiver 600 includes processor 610, memory 615, user input/outputdevices 620, WLAN receiver 630 that can communicate with IBOC meshnetwork 681 via LAN network 605, global positioning satellite (GPS)receiver 640 that receives GPS timing signals used to determinegeographic locations, tunable IBOC receiver 660, and mobile networkinterface 635 that provides telephone, messaging, and othercommunications via mobile carrier network 683.

In at least one embodiment, user transceiver 600 can be implemented as amobile phone, tablet, computer, or other device including an IBOCreceiver. User transceiver 600 can use tunable IBOC receiver 660 toreceive an IBOC broadcast signal transmitted by a mesh transceiverincluded in IBOC mesh network 681. User input/output 620 can be used topresent the content included in the IBOC broadcast signal forconsumption by the user, for example by playing the content out via aspeaker, presenting the content on a display screen, or some combinationthereof. In various embodiments, the user can provide feedback regardingthe presented content by entering user feedback information into userinput/output 620. User transceiver 600 can transmit the user feedbackinformation back to IBOC mesh network 681 via LAN network 605, usingWLAN transceiver 630.

The user feedback information can include, but is not limited to, usercontent preferences, user opinions regarding whether the content isfavorable to the user, a request for additional content, a request forless content, a request for different content, information indicatingthat an offer included in the content has been accepted or consumed (forexample a parking space has been claimed), user location informationbased on coordinates determined using GPS receiver 640, user locationinformation based on a user-identified location, information regardingreception quality of the IBOC broadcast signal (for example number ofdropped packets and signal strength), identification of the IBOCstation, and the like.

Referring next to FIG. 7 a method 700 of setting IBOC broadcast powerfor mesh-connected digital IBOC transceivers, and receiving feedbackfrom a user consuming the digital IBOC broadcast, is illustrated anddiscussed according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Atblock 705, the digital IBOC power at each mesh transceiver can be set tobe a portion of the transmission power associated with an analogbroadcast associated with the IBOC transmission. Recall that an IBOCtransmission, sometimes referred to colloquially as an “HD” radiotransmission, is a digital broadcast in a sideband of, and in the samechannel used to transmit an analog broadcast signal. Thus, for example,if an FM radio station transmits an analog radio signal centered on thefrequency 98.1 MHz, then the IBOC broadcast will take place a sidebandof the 98.1 MHz in a 0.2 MHz wide channel. That is to say the sidebandused by the digital IBOC broadcast signal can be between either 98.0MHz-98.1 MHz, or between 98.1 MHz and 98.2 MHz. Thus, the analog signalbroadcast at the nominal frequency of 98.1 MHz is considered to be theanalog broadcast associated with the IBOC transmission in a sideband ofthe 98.1 MHz signal.

The relationship between the power of the analog signal and the digitalIBOC signal usually requires the IBOC signal to be at a power levelbetween about 1% and 10% of the associated analog signal, although thesepercentages depend on the mode in which the IBOC broadcast transmitteris operating, and on various other factors. In various embodiments, thepower relationship between a mesh transceivers IBOC broadcast power andthe associated analog signal can be limited to essentially the samepercentages, but can also be dependent on the distance of the meshtransceiver from the analog transmitter.

In some instances, a mesh transceiver used in a mesh IBOC network can beassigned an IBOC broadcast power substantially different than would haveotherwise been assigned if the mesh transceiver were collocated with theanalog transmitter. The IBOC power at the mesh transceiver can be set,for example, to be a portion of the analog broadcast power at theoriginating analog antenna; to be a portion of an analog broadcast powerthat is estimated based on signal measurements made at the meshtransceiver; or to be a portion of the broadcast power of a hypotheticalanalog transmitter located at the same geographic location as the meshtransceiver, as opposed to where the analog transmitter is actuallylocated. The IBOC power at any particular mesh transceiver can also belimited to mitigate interference with other mesh transceivers in theIBOC mesh network, or in neighboring IBOC mesh networks. In someembodiments, the IBOC broadcast power can be set individually for eachmesh transceiver, or set to a mesh-wide default value.

In at least one embodiment, an edge transceiver in communication with atleast one mesh transceiver included in an IBOC mesh network can transmita power control signal to the mesh transceiver to which the edgetransceiver is connected, and that control signal can be propagatedthroughout the IBOC mesh network, so that the IBOC broadcast power ofeach operating mesh transceiver in the mesh can be controlled by asingle edge transceiver. Note that in some embodiments multiple edgetransceivers can be used, and that a single edge transceiver can beconnected to more than one mesh transceiver in a particular IBOC meshnetwork.

As illustrated at block 707, the edge transmitter that controls the IBOCpower settings for an IBOC mesh can receive power feedback from the IBOCmesh. The power feedback can include measurements and other informationindicating an analog power at each of the mesh transceivers included inthe IBOC mesh. In some embodiments, information about one the signallevel at one mesh transceiver can be verified, at least in part, usingpower measurements from nearby mesh transceivers, so that anomalousreadings at any particular mesh transceiver can be filtered out.Additionally the power feedback received at the edge transmitter canalso include IBOC power measurements associated with individual meshtransceivers.

As illustrated block 709, the edge transceiver can determine, based onthe power feedback, the current ratio or relationship of IBOCtransmission power to analog transmission power for each meshtransceiver in an IBOC mesh network. As illustrated at block 711, acheck is performed to determine if the ratio or relationship determinedat block 709 is acceptable.

Note that in some embodiments, if the analog power measurements receivedfrom the mesh transceivers indicate that the analog transmitter may bemalfunctioning, a previous value, or a default value, of analogtransmission power can be used by the edge transmitter in determiningthe ratio of IBOC power to analog power, or in determining if the powerratio or relationship is acceptable.

In at least one embodiment, an acceptable ratio for one mesh transceivercan be different from an acceptable ratio for another mesh transceiver.For example, for a mesh transceiver located at a position geographicallycloser to the associated analog transmitter it might be acceptable toassign an IBOC broadcast power that is 2% of the actual analogtransmission power, as determined at the analog transmitter. But a meshtransceiver farther away from the analog transmitter might require anIBOC broadcast power that is only 1% of the actual analog transmissionpower as determined at the analog transmitter.

In other embodiments, the edge transceiver can determine that multiplemesh transceivers should be assigned the same acceptable IBOC-to-analogpower ratio. For example, if the IBOC broadcast is allowed by regulationto have a maximum ratio of 4%, then that ratio of 4% could beimplemented by spreading the IBOC mesh network across the reception areaof the analog transmitter, with each mesh transmitter being assign thesame 4% power ratio, so that the 4% maximum ratio was not exceeded.

If it is determined at block 711 that all of the mesh receivers in amesh network are operating with an acceptable IBOC to analog powerrelationship, blocks 707-711 can be repeated. If any of the meshtransceiver in the mesh network are not operating at an acceptable IBOCto analog power ratio, the edge transceiver can determine which meshtransceivers need to be adjusted, as illustrated at block 713. For themesh transceivers that require IBOC power adjustment, the edgetransceiver can determine the amount and direction of power adjustment,as illustrated at block 715. After the proper IBOC broadcast poweradjustments have been determined, the edge transceiver can transmit apower control signal or message to instruct the appropriate transceiversto adjust their IBOC broadcast power, as illustrated at block 705. Invarious embodiments, method 700, or portions thereof, can be repeated ona continuous basis, so that IBOC to analog power relationships aremaintained.

Referring next to FIG. 8, a method 800, in which mesh-connected digitalIBOC transceivers set their own digital IBOC broadcast power, will bediscussed according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Asillustrated by block 803, the mesh receiver determines a relationshipbetween the analog transmit power used to transmit the analogcenter-band signal and the transmit power of the digital IBOCtransmissions in the sidebands of the analog channel. The digital IBOCtransceiver can make the determination by using signal strength or othermeasurements and estimates obtained locally, by using informationobtained from a mesh power controller, such as an edge transceiver, byusing information from neighboring mesh receivers, or by using acombination of remotely provided information and local measurements orestimates.

As illustrated at block 805, the digital IBOC mesh transceiver checks todetermine whether the relationship between digital IBOC transmissionpower and analog transmission power is within acceptable limits. If thepower relationship is determined to be acceptable, for example bycomparing a calculated or estimated power relationship to one or morethreshold limits, method 800 can report the power relationship to a meshpower controller, such as an edge transceiver, as illustrated by block807. Reporting the power relationship can include transmitting one ormore power indicators, for example an analog power indicator, a digitalpower indicator, a power relationship indicator, threshold information,and other similar information. In some implementations where reportingis performed, after reporting the power relationship method 800continues to monitor the power relationship.

As illustrated at block 809, if the power relationship is determined tobe outside of acceptable parameters at block 805, the mesh transceivercan adjust its digital IBOC transmit power to bring the powerrelationship within predetermined threshold values. The digital IBOCpower adjustment can be done in small increments, using various controlsystem principles to prevent overcorrection. Additionally, in someembodiments not specifically illustrated, adjustments may be performedonly after the power relationship is determined to be unacceptable for acertain length of time, unless the power relationship exceeds a “grosslyunacceptable” threshold. In this way, the likelihood of overcorrectingdigital IBOC power due to glitches and temporary changes in transmissioncharacteristics can be reduced.

After adjusting the digital IBOC transmit power at block 809,information related to the adjustment can be reported to a mesh powercontroller as illustrated at block 807. The information related to theadjustment can include power relationship information prior to theadjustment, power relationship information after the adjustment,information about frequency of adjustments, adjustment parameters, andthe like.

Referring next to FIG. 9, a method 900 of IBOC broadcasting using meshtransceivers forming an IBOC mesh network is illustrated and discussed,according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Asillustrated at block 905, the content to be delivered to a particularmesh transceiver in an IBOC mesh network is determined. In someembodiments, all mesh transceivers in a particular IBOC mesh networkwill broadcast the same content, while in other embodiments, the contentdelivered by any particular mesh transceiver is not determined only bythe mesh network, but can also be determined based on user feedbackrelating to content delivered by the particular mesh transceiver viaIBOC broadcast.

As illustrated at block 909, the content to be IBOC broadcast is sent toone or more edge transceivers associated with the mesh network in whicha target mesh transceiver is located. The edge transceiver, ortransceivers, to which the content was sent at block 907 transmit thatcontent to the appropriate mesh transceivers for IBOC broadcast. In atleast one embodiment, an edge transceiver need only communicate theinformation to a single mesh transceiver in the appropriate network, andthat mesh transceiver will propagate the content to the appropriate meshtransceiver, as illustrated at block 911. A mesh transceiver receivingcontent can broadcast the content using an IBOC broadcast, asillustrated at block 913.

A check is performed, as illustrated at block 915, to determine whetheruser feedback related to the IBOC broadcast content has been received byone or more of the mesh transceivers broadcasting the content. If nouser feedback has been received, method 900 ends. If, however, userfeedback is received at a mesh transceiver, the feedback is movedthrough the IBOC mesh network and delivered to the edge transceiver, asillustrated at block 917. As illustrated at block 919, the edgetransceiver transmits the user feedback to, for example, an originatinglocation or authorized third party, and a user feedback server can beused to process the information for use in selecting future 1130Cbroadcast content, adjusting the operation of one or more mesh networks,or the like.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “configured to”, “operably coupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or“coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/or indirectcoupling between items via an intervening item (e.g., an item includes,but is not limited to, a component, an element, a circuit, and/or amodule) where, for an example of indirect coupling, the intervening itemdoes not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its currentlevel, voltage level, and/or power level. As may further be used herein,inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another elementby inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two items inthe same manner as “coupled to”. As may even further be used herein, theterm “configured to”, “operable to”, “coupled to”, or “operably coupledto” indicates that an item includes one or more of power connections,input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, when activated, one or more itscorresponding functions and may further include inferred coupling to oneor more other items. As may still further be used herein, the term“associated with”, includes direct and/or indirect coupling of separateitems and/or one item being embedded within another item.

As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably”, indicates that acomparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides a desiredrelationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that signal1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparison may beachieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that of signal 2or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal 1.

As may also be used herein, the terms “processing module”, “processingcircuit”, “processor”, and/or “processing unit” may be a singleprocessing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such aprocessing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digitalsignal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of thecircuitry and/or operational instructions. The processing module,module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit may be, or furtherinclude, memory and/or an integrated memory element, which may be asingle memory device, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embeddedcircuitry of another processing module, module, processing circuit,and/or processing unit. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory,random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, staticmemory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any devicethat stores digital information. Note that if the processing module,module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit includes more thanone processing device, the processing devices may be centrally located(e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless busstructure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing viaindirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network).Further note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit,and/or processing unit implements one or more of its functions via astate machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing the correspondingoperational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, thecircuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further note that, the memoryelement may store, and the processing module, module, processingcircuit, and/or processing unit executes, hard coded and/or operationalinstructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/orfunctions illustrated in one or more of the Figures. Such a memorydevice or memory element can be included in an article of manufacture.

One or more embodiments of an invention have been described above withthe aid of method steps illustrating the performance of specifiedfunctions and relationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence ofthese functional building blocks and method steps have been arbitrarilydefined herein for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries andsequences can be defined so long as the specified functions andrelationships are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundariesor sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claims.Further, the boundaries of these functional building blocks have beenarbitrarily defined for convenience of description. Alternate boundariescould be defined as long as the certain significant functions areappropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also havebeen arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certain significantfunctionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries andsequence could have been defined otherwise and still perform the certainsignificant functionality. Such alternate definitions of both functionalbuilding blocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus withinthe scope and spirit of the claimed invention. One of average skill inthe art will also recognize that the functional building blocks, andother illustrative blocks, modules and components herein, can beimplemented as illustrated or by discrete components, applicationspecific integrated circuits, processors executing appropriate softwareand the like or any combination thereof.

The one or more embodiments are used herein to illustrate one or moreaspects, one or more features, one or more concepts, and/or one or moreexamples of the invention. A physical embodiment of an apparatus, anarticle of manufacture, a machine, and/or of a process may include oneor more of the aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc. describedwith reference to one or more of the embodiments discussed herein.Further, from figure to figure, the embodiments may incorporate the sameor similarly named functions, steps, modules, etc. that may use the sameor different reference numbers and, as such, the functions, steps,modules, etc. may be the same or similar functions, steps, modules, etc.or different ones.

Unless specifically stated to the contra, signals to, from, and/orbetween elements in a figure of any of the figures presented herein maybe analog or digital, continuous time or discrete time, and single-endedor differential. For instance, if a signal path is shown as asingle-ended path, it also represents a differential signal path.Similarly, if a signal path is shown as a differential path, it alsorepresents a single-ended signal path. While one or more particulararchitectures are described herein, other architectures can likewise beimplemented that use one or more data buses not expressly shown, directconnectivity between elements, and/or indirect coupling between otherelements as recognized by one of average skill in the art.

The term “module” is used in the description of one or more of theembodiments. A module includes a processing module, a processor, afunctional block, hardware, and/or memory that stores operationalinstructions for performing one or more functions as may be describedherein. Note that, if the module is implemented via hardware, thehardware may operate independently and/or in conjunction with softwareand/or firmware. As also used herein, a module may contain one or moresub-modules, each of which may be one or more modules.

While particular combinations of various functions and features of theone or more embodiments have been expressly described herein, othercombinations of these features and functions are likewise possible. Thepresent disclosure of an invention is not limited by the particularexamples disclosed herein and expressly incorporates these othercombinations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mesh transceiver for use in an in-bandon-channel (IBOC) mesh network including a plurality of meshtransceivers located at a plurality of different physical locations, themesh transceiver comprising: a variable-power IBOC transmitter; at leasta first network interface; a processor and associated memory coupled tothe variable-power IBOC transmitter and the at least a first networkinterface, the processor and associated memory configured to obtaininformation related to IBOC transmission power levels of thevariable-power IBOC transmitter; the at least a first network interfaceconfigured to: transmit the information related to the IBOC transmissionpower levels to an external processing device configured to manage theIBOC transmission power levels; receive content for IBOC broadcast bythe variable-power IBOC transmitter; receive a power-control signalgenerated by the external processing device, the power-control signalindicating a particular IBOC power level to be used by thevariable-power IBOC transmitter; and the variable-power IBOC transmitterconfigured to broadcast the content at the particular IBOC power level.2. The mesh transceiver of claim 1, wherein the information related tothe IBOC transmission power levels includes a transmission power levelassociated with the variable-power IBOC transmitter.
 3. The meshtransceiver of claim 1, further comprising: an FM receiver; powermeasurement circuitry configured to measure a signal strength of abroadcast signal received by the FM receiver; and wherein theinformation related to the IBOC transmission power levels includesinformation indicating the signal strength of the broadcast signalreceived by the FM receiver.
 4. The mesh transceiver of claim 3,wherein: the power measurement circuitry is configured to measure asignal strength of a digital broadcast signal received by the FMreceiver; and wherein the information related to the IBOC transmissionpower levels includes information indicating the signal strength of thedigital broadcast signal received by the FM receiver.
 5. The meshtransceiver of claim 3, wherein: the power measurement circuitry isconfigured to measure a signal strength of an analog broadcast signalreceived by the FM receiver; and wherein the information related to theIBOC transmission power levels includes information indicating thesignal strength of the analog broadcast signal received by the FMreceiver.
 6. The mesh transceiver of claim 1, wherein: the at least afirst network interface is configured to forward the power-controlsignal generated by the external processing device to at least a secondmesh transceiver based on one or more addresses included in thepower-control signal.
 7. The mesh transceiver of claim 1, wherein: theat least a first network interface is configured to: receive a forwardedpower-control signal generated by the external processing device; andforward the forwarded power-control signal to at least a second meshtransceiver.
 8. A method for use by a mesh transceiver included in anin-band on-channel (IBOC) mesh network including a plurality of meshtransceivers located at a plurality of different physical locations, themethod comprising: obtaining, by a processor included in the meshtransceiver, information related to IBOC transmission power levels of avariable-power IBOC transmitter included in the mesh transceiver;transmitting to an external processing device configured to manage theIBOC transmission power levels, via an interface included in the meshtransceiver, the information related to the IBOC transmission powerlevels; receiving at the mesh transceiver, via the interface: contentfor IBOC broadcast by the variable-power IBOC transmitter; apower-control signal generated by the external processing device, thepower-control signal indicating a particular IBOC power level to be usedby the variable-power IBOC transmitter; and broadcasting the content atthe particular IBOC power level using the variable-power IBOCtransmitter.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the information relatedto the IBOC transmission power levels includes a transmission powerlevel associated with the variable-power IBOC transmitter.
 10. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising: receiving a broadcast signal atan FM receiver included in the mesh transceiver; measuring a signalstrength of the broadcast signal received by the FM receiver; andwherein the information related to the IBOC transmission power levelsincludes information indicating the signal strength of the broadcastsignal received by the FM receiver.
 11. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising: measuring a signal strength of a digital broadcast signalreceived by the FM receiver; and wherein the information related to theIBOC transmission power levels includes information indicating thesignal strength of the digital broadcast signal received by the FMreceiver.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein: measuring a signalstrength of an analog broadcast signal received by the FM receiver; andwherein the information related to the IBOC transmission power levelsincludes information indicating the signal strength of the analogbroadcast signal received by the FM receiver.
 13. The method of claim 8,further comprising: forwarding the power-control signal to at least asecond mesh transceiver based on one or more addresses included in thepower-control signal.
 14. The method of claim 8, further comprising:receiving a forwarded power-control signal; and forwarding the forwardedpower-control signal to at least a second mesh transceiver.
 15. Anin-band on-channel (IBOC) mesh network including a plurality of meshtransceivers located at a plurality of different physical locations, theIBOC mesh network comprising: a first processing device configured to:generate and transmit a power-control signal indicating an IBOC powerlevel to be used by one or more of the plurality of mesh transceivers;at least a second processing device configured to implement a meshtransceiver including: a variable-power IBOC transmitter; at least afirst network interface; a processor and associated memory coupled tothe variable-power IBOC transmitter and the at least a first networkinterface, the processor and associated memory configured to obtaininformation related to IBOC transmission power levels of thevariable-power IBOC transmitter; the at least a first network interfaceconfigured to: transmit the information related to the IBOC transmissionpower levels to the first processing device; receive content for IBOCbroadcast by the variable-power IBOC transmitter; receive thepower-control signal generated by the first processing device; and thevariable-power IBOC transmitter configured to broadcast the content inaccordance with the power-control signal.
 16. The IBOC mesh network ofclaim 15, wherein the information related to the IBOC transmission powerlevels includes a transmission power level associated with thevariable-power IBOC transmitter.
 17. The IBOC mesh network of claim 15,further comprising: an FM receiver; power measurement circuitryconfigured to measure a signal strength of a broadcast signal receivedby the FM receiver; and wherein the information related to the IBOCtransmission power levels includes information indicating the signalstrength of the broadcast signal received by the FM receiver.
 18. TheIBOC mesh network of claim 17, wherein: the power measurement circuitryis configured to measure a signal strength of a digital broadcast signalreceived by the FM receiver; and wherein the information related to theIBOC transmission power levels includes information indicating thesignal strength of the digital broadcast signal received by the FMreceiver.
 19. The IBOC mesh network of claim 17, wherein: the powermeasurement circuitry is configured to measure a signal strength of ananalog broadcast signal received by the FM receiver; and wherein theinformation related to the IBOC transmission power levels includesinformation indicating the signal strength of the analog broadcastsignal received by the FM receiver.
 20. The IBOC mesh network of claim15, wherein: the at least a first network interface is configured toforward the power-control signal generated by the first processingdevice to at least a second mesh transceiver based on one or moreaddresses included in the power-control signal.